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I was playing with Alexa yesterday during my OnStar trial. I like Alexa and it worked well during my brief testing.
Alexa requires connected vehicle. Has anyone figured out if there is a way to connect the car to data WITHOUT using OnStar? I'm trying to save a few bucks AND avoid a middleman.
What if you turn your phone into a hotspot and connect your c8 via wifi to the phone. That should theoretically work unless there are some restrictions built in by Chevy.
Digital assistants (Alexa/Siri/Google) should still be available once you connect your phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Next time I am in the car, I will try Siri via Apple CarPlay. Just haven't had the need to use Siri in the car.
To remotely access the C8 with the myChevrolet app will require OnStar data service subscription.
To remotely access the C8 with the myChevrolet app will require OnStar data service subscription.
Are you sure? I am thinking that I have not lost that with either my Vette or my GMC Pickup. Perhaps I am wrong.
This is what I get when the myChevrolet app. If you are able to access your vehicle remotely without the required subscription plan, I would be curious to know how.
It appears that remote access requires the following monthly subscription plan.
Last edited by Atlantan; Sep 23, 2021 at 10:01 AM.
I was playing with Alexa yesterday during my OnStar trial. I like Alexa and it worked well during my brief testing.
Alexa requires connected vehicle. Has anyone figured out if there is a way to connect the car to data WITHOUT using OnStar? I'm trying to save a few bucks AND avoid a middleman.
Photo to boost good will
Oh man, I am sooooo lost. Forgive me. I picked up my 2021 Red C8 yesterday. After onstar has expired (I do not intend to subscribe) and after our trial for the "connected" has expired. Can we not continue to connect our phones through bluetooth AND use the Alexa app OR do we HAVE TO buy data plans from Chev?
Last edited by Hypnotist; Sep 27, 2021 at 01:32 AM.
Digital assistants (Alexa/Siri/Google) should still be available once you connect your phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Next time I am in the car, I will try Siri via Apple CarPlay. Just haven't had the need to use Siri in the car.
To remotely access the C8 with the myChevrolet app will require OnStar data service subscription.
"once you connect your phone"? via bluetooth? OR their wi fi that requires a data plan? (that is what it seems to show now)....that my phone is on THEIR wifi system even though it seemed like a normal BLUETOOTH setup. This is confusing to me. Sorry. New to Chev.....
Last edited by Hypnotist; Sep 27, 2021 at 01:43 AM.
On Star and it's data link duplicates your phone connection. If you want to use the My Chevy app, you need On Star. If not, everything your phone does in your backyard, it does via Apple Car Play in your car. With no subscription. Which is why for many (me) On Star has zip value. I can remember to buy gas before its empty, change the oil on time, I don't want to start the car from my master bath, and if it is stolen I don't want it found.
Last edited by papillion; Sep 27, 2021 at 04:05 AM.
Oh man, I am sooooo lost. Forgive me. I picked up my 2021 Red C8 yesterday. After onstar has expired (I do not intend to subscribe) and after our trial for the "connected" has expired. Can we not continue to connect our phones through bluetooth AND use the Alexa app OR do we HAVE TO buy data plans from Chev?
Using Alexa talk to your car is connected through Onstar, most cars that offer Alexa require you to use their version of Onstar.
Otherwise bluetooth is completely separate. You can use Carplay, Siri, make hands free calls, stream music from your phone, all that.
The factory navigation will work; it just won’t update traffic or show gas prices and stuff; but Carplay and Android Auto does all that through your phone anyway.
On Star and it's data link duplicates your phone connection. If you want to use the My Chevy app, you need On Star. If not, everything your phone does in your backyard, it does via Apple Car Play in your car. With no subscription. Which is why for many (me) On Star has zip value. I can remember to buy gas before its empty, change the oil on time, I don't want to start the car from my master bath, and if it is stolen I don't want it found.
Onstar has zip value for me, also. I do not want the My Chevy app either. But I DO like using the Android App on the screen and with the voice interface. Are you saying I can still use that without buying their "data package"?
Last edited by Hypnotist; Sep 27, 2021 at 08:27 AM.
Onstar has zip value for me, also. I do not want the My Chevy app either. But I DO like using the Android App on the screen and with the voice interface. Are you saying I can still use that without buying their "data package"?
The use of On Star and Car/Android Play are unrelated. Vehicles equipped with Car/Android Play sync a compatible cell phone with the car. Car/Android Play utilize your cell phone provider plan. Car Play was introduced in 2014. Most car mfgs are now offering these apps depending on car model.
Last edited by papillion; Sep 27, 2021 at 01:17 PM.
The use of On Star and Car/Android Play are unrelated. Vehicles equipped with Car/Android Play sync a compatible cell phone with the car. Car/Android Play utilize your cell phone provider plan. Car Play was introduced in 2014. Most car mfgs are now offering these apps depending on car model.
Thanks, Papillion, for your help. My other vehicles just grab my phone and that is that. I know I am sounding dense on this subject but the interface with OnStar, "Connectivity" / data plans, and multiple MyGM/MyCorvette "registrations" to get things working is mind-boggling to me. I know I said "Android app" but I meant "Alexa app" (even though I want the Android app to work too). I assume I will NOT lose the ablity to use the Alexa app through the voice recog in the car after Onstar/paid for connectivity is gone. Right?
I don't have OnStar activated and have used the My Chevrolet app on my iPhone for the "Find my Car" aspect (it works every time). I read where all Chevrolet purchasers get this useful tool through the My Chevrolet app having OnStar or not.
I don't have OnStar activated and have used the My Chevrolet app on my iPhone for the "Find my Car" aspect (it works every time). I read where all Chevrolet purchasers get this useful tool through the My Chevrolet app having OnStar or not.
I see. The only thing I want to make sure of is that : I will still be able to use the Alexa app from the screen in the car (and the voice recognition in the car) AFTER onstar is gone and their "connectivity/data free period is over. (using the data from my phone hooked up to the car blue tooth).
Yes, you do not need OnStar, or any data plans to connect your phone to the car. Using Bluetooth you will be able to make calls, use Alexa/Siri voice recognition, and play music from your phone using your cell’s data connection.
Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay allow you to use compatible smartphone apps, such as pandora, Spotify, google maps, etc; natively on the car’s infotainment screen. Both of these require your phone to be connected either via the USB port in the center console or through the car’s own Wi-Fi hotspot for wireless connectivity. This too will work without any OnStar or data subscriptions.
Also, even without a paid plan, OnStar provides some basic vehicle diagnostic info (service reminders, TPM alerts, etc.) via the myChevrolet app.
For basic phone functions (hands free calling, voice recognition, play music) Bluetooth works fine. Both android auto and Apple CarPlay require more bandwidth to work wirelessly than Bluetooth provides; hence the need for wi-fi. Both will work with a wired connection though if you plug your phone into the center console.
For basic phone functions (hands free calling, voice recognition, play music) Bluetooth works fine. Both android auto and Apple CarPlay require more bandwidth to work wirelessly than Bluetooth provides; hence the need for wi-fi. Both will work with a wired connection though if you plug your phone into the center console.
Thanks for your patience with my questions. I traded in a car that just handled everything over the blue tooth connection with my phone and my phone of course provided the data from it's cellular connection.
So if I "need" the wi-fi connection with the car I assume I will have to BUY one of THEIR data plans. Is that correct?
Data connection without OnStar
